Emma Twyford and Big Bang are the first Britons to climb an 9a route

On September 17, 2019, the British Emma Twyford managed the red point ascent of the 9a route Big Bang at Lower Pen Trwyn in North Wales. She is the first Brit to score a route of this difficulty.

As Emma At the top of the stand, she can hardly believe it. With her commission of Big Bang (9a) she writes national climbing history. Never before has a Briton climbed a 9a.

“It felt like a dream. As with most red point ascents, I was in total flow and felt really easy. "

Emma Twyford on the ascent of the Big Bang
(Picture John Bunney)

Emma boarded the route for the first time two years ago, but was not strong enough at the time. At the end of 2018, after a long training, she returned and began to seriously plan the route. Already at that time she was close to the walk-through, but the key point is high and Emma was out.

“Because the key point comes at the very end, it was all a question of mental strength. I struggled with the frustration every time I was thrown out there. "

Emma Twyford planning the route three months ago (Sound on!)

Historic day at Lower Pen Trwyn

On the 17. September 2019 then worked it out. Although there was no wind and the route was not completely dry, it climbed Emma the route without falling. Their visit not only marks a milestone in British climbing history, but also continues the history of the area. At the Lower Pen Trwyn was through Ben Moon and Jerry Moffat climbed the first 8a in the UK. 1996 was then Neil Carson, who attended the first ascent of Big Bang the country's first 9a opened. The fact that Emma Twyford is now the first Briton to climb a 9a in exactly this area rotpunkt, comes as a shout.

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Credits: Pictures John Bunney

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